Sir David Attenborough said laws which stop the collecting of fossils and eggs
are 'a disaster waiting to happen' for the future of British naturalists.

Britain is losing generations of young naturalists because of laws banning children from collecting birds' eggs and fossils, according to Sir David Attenborough.

The broadcaster said he would never have been able to pursue his interest in wildlife if current legislation had been in place when he was a boy. The Wildlife and Countryside Act of 1981 prohibits the removal of eggs from the nest of any wild bird, while being found in possession of a dead wild bird – or any part of one – is also an offence.

Fossil–collecting is banned at Sites of Special Scientific Interest and is covered by numerous other guidelines.

Speaking to Radio Times, Sir David, 86, said few children now ventured out to explore the natural world. He agreed that the situation was "a disaster in waiting".

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He said: "Part of the reason for that is easy to identify, and that is because it's no longer allowed – no longer legal – to be a collector.

"I openly admit that I collected birds' eggs. And I knew when the right moment was when you could take one and the bird would lay another, so you didn't damage the population.

And I learnt a lot from that. Now, I think it's in the ledger of law, if you were to pick up a feather and put it in your pocket it would probably not be legal.

"And not to be allowed to collect fossils..."

His comments were supported by Chris Packham, a fellow BBC nature presenter, who said: "I can't believe that future generations will learn their trade on television, on the internet and in libraries, because the passion has to come from the heart.

"You've got to want to set your alarm clock to go out and sit in a hide. Young people in particular are so disconnected from the natural world.

"I wouldn't reprimand a young boy that I found climbing to a nest these days. I'd give him a bunk up into the tree."

Speaking on the BBC Radio 5's today prgramme Mr Packham added: "There are absolutly no young people enjoying our coutryisde. I feared we have turned out ocuntryisde into a dark and dangerous place for children. They don't engage with nature. They aren't picking up fossils, watching fox cubs in the early morning.

"I would rather spend 10 minutes with a woodlouse in my hand than watching a tiger on TV.

"You've struggled through the brambles and waitied for hours and it ignites a lifetime of interest."

The BBC is celebrating Sir David's broadcasting career in a BBC Two series, 60 Years In The Wild.